Great Migration Serengeti

From Nomad Tanzania guide Remtula Nassary “I’ve been staying at Lamai Serengeti for the last week; we are still seeing some herds crossing the Mara river north to south (these pictures taken 2 days ago) but I think these are amongst the last of the herds now and they will start heading south. The rain up here has been quite patchy this last week, and it appears to be raining a lot further south. Still, my guests were very happy to see this particular crossing”

Serengeti Migration Update – 29th September 2011

There are still big herds crossing and recrossing the Mara river in the northern Serengeti and there has been a lot of rain around Nyamalumbwa and Kogatende which provides them with good grazing. Our guides have seen rhinos with calves and quite a few cheetah chasing down young wildebeest

Serengeti Migration Update – 21 September 2011

From Lamai Serengeti we’ve had a lot of wildebeest around, our guests are seeing river crossings all the time. Because of the rain we’ve had here, it seems the big herds are all heading down and across the river again. We’ve even heard reports of herds near Ikoma.

From Nomad guide Chediel I’ve seen big herds from Nyamalumbwa to Kogatende, criss-crossing over the sand river.

Serengeti Migration Update – 7th September 2011

There is plenty of water in the Mara River, and with this lots of carcasses of drowned wildebeest, not such a good sight. There are still lots of wildebeest crossing over in both directions, but rising river levels because of the rain has meant they can’t always cross.

Serengeti Migration Update – 24th August 2011

Spectacular thunderstorms over the past 14 days have changed the Lamai Wedge and most of the northern Serengeti into solid green pastures. Unusual for the time of year, the rainfall and lightning has been so bountiful that it hasn’t gone unnoticed to the wildebeests that are close to the area.

Attracted by the promise of green grass the herds residing in the Masai Mara are now returning by the thousands. Adding more to their already vast numbers, they cross the Mara River in dramatic amounts, creating crossings so spectacular you will not believe your eyes!

Serengeti Migration Update – 17th August

Word on the Migration..from Nomad guide Rowland…

who has just stopped by after being out on safari at Serengeti Safari Camp with his guests. “We were up by the Mara River, watching the crossings, Kogatende area…but I’m not telling you exactly where as it’s a secret, as I can still take my guests there and not see any other cars!!!!” Your secret is totally safe with me, I assured him. “We saw about 300 wildebeest crossing, and I’m not exaggerating but at least 100 perished. Honestly. There were in such a panic to cross, there were lines of them trampling over other ones. It was very dramatic but not so easy to watch.

We also saw a Tawny Eagle diving down, right next to where we were driving, and it grabbed a grass snake and took it back up to the tree; my guests were amazed it happened so close to the car”. And with that, he grabbed his next safari file and headed off out again with a smile.

Serengeti Migration Update – 10th August 2011

Chediel reports seeing loads of big wildebeest herds around the Nyamalumbwa area as well as frequent rhino sightings.

But his most exciting report

“On arrival in Lobo on the way to Serengeti Safari Camp, we saw a Martial eagle flying really low. I stopped the car to watch, one of my guests was a keen birder, and then to our total suprise it went after and killed a young Thomson’s Gazelle. I have never seen this before! It struggled to drag the kill away, but it wouldn’t let go”.

Serengeti Migration Update – 29th July 2011

The migration is en masse in the northern Serengeti areas of Nyamalumbwa to Kogatende. Our new lodge – Lamai Serengeti – is almost totally surrounded, as of this morning (the nights are getting noisy, with lots of predators moving in fast)! The weather is cool in the mornings and there has been some light rain.

From Nomad guides out in the Serengeti

Emmanuel – spent the morning surrounded by about 500,000 wildebeest. What a sight! Yesterday I saw a rhino surrounded by 7 lion. The lion were stalking the rhion, but on noticing them suddenly he charged at them and chased them all away. An amazing scene to watch.

Serengeti Migration Update – 6 July 2011

Our guide Ken has just called in from the Serengeti to report big herds of wildebeest now being seen across the northern Serengeti. Particularly strong around Lobo / Bologonja and Nyamalumbwa, with increasing numbers coming into the Wogakuria & Lamai areas.

Good groups still being seen in the Western Corridor, but the weather over the next few days will dictate whether they remain within easy reach of Grumeti or also start heading North. We’re keeping a very close daily eye on things and as always will react as fast and flexibly as required, to ensure that everyone gets within reach of some of these concentrations.

Serengeti Migration Update – 27 June 2011

Just back in from safari. The migration is very fragmented with herds still in the Western Corridor, sizeable herds being seen in Lobo, Togoro Plains and around Mbuzi Mawe. There are also reports of trailblazing herds stretching from Kleins and up into Bologonja. The afternoons have been rainy most days with spectacular thunderstorms at times. This unseasonable weather, for our dry season, explains why the migration is so broken up.

From Richard Knocker, Senior safari guide, Nomad Tanzania

Migration and the Grumeti River – 21 June 2011

From Felix and Jacob, Nomad guides at Serengeti Safari Camp

There has been some rain over these last days, around Lobo and Mbuzi Mawe and everything is starting to green up. We’ve seen the migration crossing the Grumeti River, heading towards Lobo. There are plenty of herds around Togoro and Ikoma too.

Felix – I saw a crocodile ‘in partnership’ with a fish eagle, taking fish out of the water, which the fish eagle then ate. I also saw a cheetah with very young, about two month old, cubs.

Jacob – A first for me, seeing hippo mating in the Grumeti River, that and a poor old zebra getting taken down by a hippo whilst crossing the river.

Serengeti Migration Update – 15 June 2011

I drove from Kogatende to Loliondo this morning. There is great game in the east and some herds of wildebeest, no doubt part of those that are being reported by the Mara operators.

Nothing in Koga itself at the moment but I’m told that the majority of the migrating herds are in Grumeti and heading north fast so expect them up near us soon.

Cheers, John Corse (MD, Nomad)

Migration Update – 14th June 2011

Slightly cooler weather at the moment is a bonus for those out game viewing. Most of the action is being seen around the Kirawira/Grumeti area of the Western Corridor. The Grumeti River is not that high, but there are many pools filled with water that the crocs are hiding in, waiting for the unsuspecting wildebeest to visit. Guests out now were just treated to that spectacle as they sat beside the pool. Leopards seem to be all around our Serengeti Safari Camp, currently in Musabi.

Serengeti Migration Update – 26th May 2011

“There are many large groups of wildebeest around the Western Corridor and from Serengeti Safari Camp (currently in Musabi) we’re getting great sightings every day. Over the last week I’ve seen over 60 lion, lionesses and cubs as well as 6 leopards and 5 cheetah. There are cats everywhere!!!

The weather is cool and cloudy, but no rain at the moment.”

Nomad Tanzania senior guide – Emmanuel Njawa

Serengeti Migration Update – 3rd May 2011

Hearing From Nomad guides out in the Serengeti in the field that the Migration is still around in the southern Moru area, but its rained in the central Serengeti (Rongai) for the last three days, so this might persuade the wildebeest to head north again. We’ll keep you posted.

Serengeti Migration Update – 26 April 2011

Wednesday evening last week, the migration were en masse on the big open plains around Ndutu; thousands of them in every direction. We had one of those ‘parting of the waves’ moments…Cornelius drove us right into the midst and then for about an hour we watched them passing, an amazing site and rather on the noisy side!!

Thursday morning we woke early, packed up our Wilderness Mobile Camp and headed north and west up to Moru Kopjes; what an epic drive that was! We had a huge stormy black sky to our right and brilliant sunshine to our left. We left the southern grass plains way behind, they’re drying up now as the long rains haven’t been good to us this year, and arrived in the Kopjes around sunset. The following morning, at sunrise, the migration arrived. Literally! I think I even saw the first wildebeest in the procession; a thick fat ‘snake’ of wildebeest and zebra pouring in below us.

Since then, our camp headman says they’re still coming through, but due to only gentle rains in the evenings, they may well keep heading up north and west. This is unusually early, but then it’s all about the rains and they’ve been somewhat lacking so far.

Migration Update – 15th April 2011

The word just in from the Serengeti – there’s a large group of Wildebeest around Makao in the Ndutu area and then another large group seen heading towards Moru. It hasn’t rained in Ndutu for several days now, despite cloudy weather, and so it looks like that lot might be heading off to find greener pastures. Generally they all seem to be spread out in a wide area, some have been seen around Nasera and Olduvai. This is very normal behaviour at this time of year.

Migration Update – 23rd March 2011

Monday morning, this week, we watched the first of the migratory herds arriving back into the Ndutu area after several days of heavy rain. They had started to go north-west towards Moru and Maswa, as the southern grass plains were drying up. Now, with all this rain and the area greeing up nicely, they are heading back. By Tuesday morning the plains were filling up lots of wildebeest and zebra and plenty of cats. We spent a good hour with a small pride, a beautiful dark-maned lion and his three lionesses; fat and happy after a recent wildebeest kill. The next morning, our guide Jacob, out even earlier than us, saw three cheetah take down an adult wildebeest. By the time we got there, the cheetah were sprawled in the mud (had been very rainy Monday night) next to the kill. Fantastic to see the southern grass plains teeming with activity

Serengeti Migration Update – 9th March 2011

Serengeti Migration Update there have been very good rains around Ndutu and the wildbeest are heading south from the Moru area, loads of calves with them and the usual bunch of cats following looking for an easy dinner!

Nomad guide Alikea saw a Marshall eagle engage in a spectacular aerial display against a Kori Bustard, diving at it over and over until he killed it. This is not something you see every day!!!

Halifa reported mating zebras, not quite at every turn, but seemed to be a lot of them – and plenty of wildebeest giving birth, and young calves.

Migration Update – 28th February 2011

The wildebeest are concentrating around the Hidden Valley & Miti Mitatu area with some headed to Kusini due to lack of rains this past week around Ndutu. Nomad Tanzania guide, Emmanuel, has been seeing cats everywhere and a leopard that walked right in front of his car, stopping right on cue to pose for happy photographers in the vehicle, before climbing up a nearby tree. He said it was one of the best close-up sightings he’d ever seen. Halifa has been seeing lots of newborn wildebeest and even a wildebeest giving birth. The guests with him, first-timers on safari, were suitably awed by it all.

Migration Update – 14th February 2011

Migration Update big herds seen around Kusini & towards Maswa. Ndutu is currently dry and windy and generally there isn’t much rain around. All the guides report seeing stacks of cats and elephants whilst they’re out amongst the herds.

Migration Update – 7th January 2011

Good rains in the southern Serengeti (around Ndutu especially) has meant that the migration is well scattered – Nomad safari guides reporting seeing big herds around Ndutu, Moru, Kusini and some in Piyaya. Our guide Halifa has had the most exciting week of all; seeing a buffalo giving birth and then fighting off a hyena, and a herd of wildebeest crossing Lake Ndutu. Rowland saw a honey badger and kept his distance! They’re all reporting in from the field to say the general plains game sightings are great!! Our Serengeti Safari Camp is in Ndutu, well placed to catch all the action

Migration Update – 24th December 2010

The migration is scattered, many herds still seen around Moru, but many on their way down to Ndutu, in the Naabi Hill and some have gone across to the Gol Kopjes.

Rains in Ndutu and surrounds have meant lots of green grass and good grazing.

Cats are everywhere Chediel and his clients saw a spectacular cheetah kill, mother feeding her cubs. Sylvanus watched a leopard and older cubs take down a young zebra. Everyone is in the Christmas holiday spirit and enjoying their safari – Happy Christmas to all from Nomad Tanzania and hope to see you on safari in 2011.

Migration Update – 14th December 2010

Nomad guides are reporting seeing the migration stretched between Naabi, Moru and down to Ndutu. There has been some rain so the whole area has greened up nicely, especially around Ndutu where there has been quite a bit of rain. Lions are definitely on the viewing menu, as well as elephants and some great bird sightings.

Migration Update – 24th November 2010

The wildebeest herds are scattered in rather fragmented herds between Lobo and Seronera; this isn’t unusual for this time of year, and the lack of heavy rains has meant they are more spread out and in smaller groups. Nomad guides have still had good cat sightings over the last week from our Serengeti Safari Camp in the central Serengeti.

Migration Update – 7th November 2010

There are still some crossings being seen at the Mara River, our Nomad videographer witnessed a very exciting crossing yesterday with other Nomad guests, but the herds are also seen further south around Lobo as well. The rains have been light this past week, but everywhere is still green and lush. Our guides have seen good elephant, lion and plains game sightings; Jacob and his guests saw a baboon kill a baby bushbuck.

Migrationn Update – 26th October 2010

There are big herds around Bologonja, heading down towards Lobo. There have been plenty of rain in the last couple weeks, so there is lots of good grazing for the wildees. Nomad guides at Serengeti Safari Camp are still seeing good crossings, Chediel saw a herd of elephants crossing as well as the wildebeest and zebra. As always the cats are plentiful with lion everywhere and some spectacular cheetah sightings.

Migration Update – 13th October 2010

The wildebeest are still lining both sides of the Mara River, crossing and re-crossing. Rains up in the northern Serengeti has meant that everything is greening up and there is plenty of good grazing. General game in the area is also good, with Nomad guides reporting good sightings of cats, plus good numbers of rhino around Kogatende and our new Lamai Serengeti site

Serengeti Migration Update – 4th October 2010

The wildebeest are stretched along the Mara River in large numbers with crossings happening most days during this last week. We followed one herd, on the opposite bank, that expanded in numbers until it was about 5000 strong. They headed east passing several possible crossings en route. It was like watching a tornado build up and build up, but one that you’re never sure where it’s going to actually touch down. They passed crossing points that were easy, shallow entries with fewer rocks but they kept going; the wind seemed to make them jumpy and restless and the slightest thing would set them off again. Nomad guide Emmanuel kept us on the trail of them all day…watching them from the opposite bank. We’d headed back to Serengeti Safari Camp at the end of the day so left them there in their numbers. The following morning they still hadn’t crossed over, but were now scattered in every direction. Rains in the north have kept a lot of the herds on the TZ side with good numbers crossing but then crossing back over again. We also saw lots of elephants, the resident cheetah brothers hunting (right alongside our car) and heard plenty of lion calling at night.

Migration Update – 20th September 2010

Our Nomad private guides are still seeing big herds of wildees between Wogakuria and Kogatende in the northern Serengeti. Kennedy reports “wonderful game with lots of cat in Bologonja and rhino sightings in Kogatende”. Chediel has been watching “awesome crossings” at the Mara River with his guests; long lines of wildebeest that seem to go on for ever, all chancing their luck crossing the croc-infested river. Emmanuel watched a pride of lion work so cleverly to take down a stray wildebeest with military precision. They’re all reporting rain – heavy at times – but say it’s cooling things down during the heat of the day.

Migration Update – 14th August 2010

Large numbers over wildebeests have crossed over the border but there are still mega herds milling around the Daraja Mbili area of the Lamai Wedge (northern Serengeti). Spectacular river crossings have been seen all last week, with herds going north and south and plenty of smaller herds still south of the Mara river. The weather has been hot during the day with some rain, nights are cool and windy. Guests staying at our Serengeti Safari Camp have been seeing dramatic river crossings with many crocodiles pursuing the herds through the water; also lots of leopard sightings around camp, as well as black rhino.

Migration Update – 4th August 2010

Nomad guides are seeing large herds of wildebeest in the Wogakuria area, and around the Mara River. Guests staying in Serengeti Safari Camp are in the perfect place for some exciting river crossings; our guide, Godwin, sat and watched as crocodiles attacked one long line of wildebeest desperately trying to cross. The guests with him were stunned by the drama and savagery of the experience.

This last week they’ve also seen a Rhino with her young calf chasing off a puff adder; a side striped jackal, lots of cats following the migration and plenty of elephants. It’s cold at night and warm clothes are definitely needed for those early morning game drives, but the days are still warm and sunny.

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Migration Update – 26th July 2010

The bulk of the migration is now in the northern Serengeti – between Wogakuria and Bologonja – with just some stragglers left coming up from the Grumeti area. Our Serengeti Safari Camp is perfectly placed right in the middle of all the action; guests out with our Nomad guides last week saw fantastic wildebeest crossings at the Mara River – also plenty of cats lionesses taking down a wildebeest at Woga, a family of cheetah sitting surveying a long line of wildebeests, from their high vantage point atop a termite mound, and a leopard killing a young gazelle right in front of the car. They also saw a rhinoceros and a youngster near Nyamalumbwa, Bologonja.

Migration Update – 24th June 2010

The migratory herds have separated into two distinct groups – one in the Western Corridor/Grumeti area and one in north-east Serengeti and northern Loliondo area. Our Nomad mobile camps are operating in both areas and have them covered. We are expecting the western herd to to start moving north to the Mara River area towards the end of July.

Migration Update – 17th June 2010

The rains in the Serengeti have now stopped, but the unseasonal weather of the last month has meant that the wildebeest are continuing to move in a rather abnormal pattern. Whilst some wildebeest are, as we would normally expect at this time of year, in the Western Corridor area, other herds can be found as far north as Bologonja up near the Mara River. Nomad clients, currently on safari in the Western Corridor, are all enjoying very good migration sightings with the large amounts of cats and other predators following the herds.

Our Serengeti Safari Camp, with its emphasis on flexibility and mobility, really comes into its own at times like this and with the wildebeest patterns continuing to be unreliable, we are keeping a very close eye on the proceedings.

Migration Update – 7th June 2010

Our Nomad guides are reporting seeing large herds heading back down from Lobo and into the Western Corridor area, with smaller numbers remaining in the northern Serengeti around Bologonja. The unseasonal rains we’ve had recently have meant the migratory patterns are not as normal. At this time of year we would expect to find the bulk of the migration in the Moru Kopjes area (of the mid-Western Serengeti), heading into the Western Corridor. The fact that some front-runners went straight to the north, is a result of the unusual rains. However, they are now reverting back to more of what we’d expect at this time of year.

Migration Update – 31st May 2010

Nomad safari guides are reporting seeing the migration as far north as Lobo and Mbuze Mawe with some herds still around Ngarananyuki in the Seronera area.

Due to the unseasonably wet weather we’ve been having, the herds of wildebeest and zebra are very spread out and fragmented. We’re watching closely to see which way they go now, as this is an unusual pattern for the migration at this time of year.

Migration Update – 20th May 2010

Our Nomad guides are reporting seeing the bulk of the migration around the Central Serengeti region. The herds have left the southern area of the short grass plains and are now heading into Musabi, with some front runners heading further west into the Grumeti area. General plains game sightings, with the accompanying lions and other cats, have also been very good.

They reported rain yesterday, but generally the days have been warm and sunny.

Migration Update – 19th April 2010

The changeable weather over the last week has brought some rain showers and overcast days which have cooled everything down. The bulk of the wildebeest herds are starting to move north-west, with Nomad guides reporting herds in the area of Kusini and heading up towards Moru. Game has been very good this last week with guests seeing a number of cheetahs and large prides of lion on the periphery of the migratory herds.

Migration Update – 7th April 2010

The bulk of the migration is still in the southern Serengeti in the area between Kusini and Endulen (either side of the Ndutu area). Some rain over the last week has meant there is still some good grazing about. Guests on safari with us have been treated to some fantastic game sightings recently with lots of cats on the menu, plus an Aardvark was spotted in Loliondo, a rare sighting indeed! Other guests witnessed two cheetah hunting a wildebeest; one of the cheetah ended up being carried along on the back of the wildebeest for about 30 metres before dropping off. The wildebeest managed to escape. Intrepid guests climbed the Naibardat Hills, in the Ndutu area, quite a climb at 2300 feet but well worth it to see the view from the top.

Migration Update – 24th March 2010

Our guides are reporting that the migration is still in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti, between Golini and Lemuta, and the game viewing has been fabulous There have been plenty of predator sightings cheetahs hunting antelopes, lions stalking wildebeest and plenty of lion cubs. Over the last week we’ve had some rain to cool things down – morning showers – and the Ndutu area is looking quite green at the moment.

MIGRATION UPDATE – 11th March 201o

The bulk of the migration is still in the Ndutu area, but spreading out slightly north-east towards Golini (Piyaya direction). Our guides have been seeing amazing sightings around Ndutu and at Lake Masek as well as lots of cats plenty of cheetah, a female lion with her cubs and then a pride of 15 lion very near to our Serengeti Safari Camp (currently sited in the Ndutu area).

Migration update – 24th March 2010

Our guides are reporting that the migration is still in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti, between Golini and Lemuta, and the game viewing has been fabulous There have been plenty of predator sightings cheetahs hunting antelopes, lions stalking wildebeest and plenty of lion cubs. Over the last week we’ve had some rain to cool things down – morning showers – and the Ndutu area is looking quite green at the moment.

MIGRATION UPDATE – 11th March 2010

The bulk of the migration is still in the Ndutu area, but spreading out slightly north-east towards Golini (Piyaya direction). Our guides have been seeing amazing sightings around Ndutu and at Lake Masek as well as lots of cats plenty of cheetah, a female lion with her cubs and then a pride of 15 lion very near to our Serengeti Safari Camp (currently sited in the Ndutu area).

Migration Update – 25th February 2010

The bulk of the Serengeti migration is still in the Ndutu area and around Kusini. There has been plenty of rain and there is very good grazing in the area currently. Our Nomad guides are reporting seeing lots of new-born wildebeest about as well as amazing game generally, especially in the Masek area a pride of 16 lions, lots of cheetah and stacks of plains game. Plus one group of guests were lucky enough to watch one column of wildebeest passing them that took 3 hours from start to finish!

Migration Update – 12th February 2010

There are currently up to half a million wildebeest on the Macau plains south of Ndutu and some also decent herds around the Lemuta area. There has not been any substantial rain showers for some time, so the area is drying up and has been quite windy. No rain is forecast for the next 7 days so we would expect the Wildies to be on the move towards the end of this time.

Migration Update – 23rd January 2010

The migration is spread across a wide area of the short grass plains, with everything looking green and lush after recent rains. However, the eastern plains around Salei are drying fast now and longs columns of wildebeest are forming and setting off to the south-west. The first new calves of the season are being seen, so happy days for the predators.

Migration Update – 13th January 2010

Rains are continuing in the southern Serengeti and the area is very green and lush. Our guides are reporting seeing hundreds of wildebeest all over Ndutu “as far as the eye can see”, also around Malanja towards Oldupai, and all the way to the Golini Plain up to Lake Masek. Our Serengeti Safari Camp has enjoyed being right in the midst of all the action.

They’ve been seeing plenty of predators too, especially lions; a pride of 16 lions resting, whilst two of their pride successfully brought down a buffalo. One of our guides also saw 15 rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater the other day.